Superbagnères

Gondola or bike up from Luchon

Cycling climb

Height: 1,800 m
From: Bagnères-de-Luchon
Distance: 18.5 km
Average gradient: 6 %

The plateau at 1 800 metres above Luchon is one of the best viewpoints in the Pyrenees. From here you look straight into the Maladeta massif with the Aneto (3 404 m), the highest peak in the Pyrenees, and the glaciers on the Spanish side. The grand Grand Hôtel from 1922 stands alone at the top. The cable car from Luchon takes you up without a car. Walk west across the pastures towards Céciré for an even wider view, or head down towards the Vallée du Lys and its waterfalls. The best light is in the morning before the clouds build up.

Tour de FranceThe finish of stage 14 of the 2025 Tour, won by Thymen Arensman.

Alpine skiing

Height: 1,465–2,125 m
Pistes: 32 km
Runs: 31456
Lifts: 11
Season: early December–late March (2026/27 planned 4 December–29 March)
Lift pass: €36 adult/day, €30 for 3 hours, €11 child/day (2025/26)
Level: all levels
Snowmaking: approx. 180 snow cannons
Snow park: Snowpark in the Téchous sector with lines for all levels
Cross-country skiing: A cross-country trail of approx. 4 km on the plateau at approx. 1,850 m

Superbagnères sits on a balcony above the spa town of Bagnères-de-Luchon, looking straight across to the Maladeta and Aneto on the Spanish side. The resort is one of the oldest in the Pyrenees: a rack railway ran up here from 1912 to 1966, and the large Grand Hôtel was completed in 1922. Since December 2023 the Crémaillère Express gondola has taken you from Luchon up to about 1,800 m in roughly 8 minutes. The ski area is medium-sized, with three sectors (Téchous, Lac and Céciré) and fine pistes for all levels. Superbagnères has been a Tour de France finish several times, including in 1986 (Greg LeMond) and 1989 (Robert Millar).

Highlights

The Crémaillère Express gondola straight from Luchon centre (1,144 m vertical rise, approx. 8 min)
Views of Aneto (3,404 m), the highest peak in the Pyrenees
The Céciré Express chairlift up to 2,122 m
Combine skiing with the thermal baths in Luchon

Getting here

Flights: Lourdes-Tarbes (LDE) approx. 110 km, approx. 1 h 20 min · Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS) approx. 150 km, approx. 1 h 45 min · Pau (PUF) approx. 150 km, approx. 1 h 45 min
Train: liO train Toulouse–Montréjeau–Luchon (approx. 2 h from Toulouse). The free Vali bus runs from Luchon station to the gondola, timed to the trains. The Skirail package (€43 in 2025/26) gives you a return trip from Toulouse, a day pass, the gondola and the bus.
Bus: Free Vali ski bus between the railway station, the centre, the thermal baths and the gondola (daily during school holidays, otherwise at weekends)
Car: From the A64 exit Montréjeau, then the D125 to Luchon. Up to the resort it is approx. 18 km of hairpin road (D46); the easiest option is to park in Luchon and take the gondola. Winter tyres or chains are required on the road up.

Accommodation

Accommodation: Limited accommodation up on the plateau (including flats in the old Grand Hôtel area); most people stay down in Luchon
Places to stay nearby: Bagnères-de-Luchon (630 m) with hotels, flats and thermal baths – the gondola leaves straight from the town. Peyragudes is approx. 15 km away.

TipsStay in Luchon and ride the gondola – you avoid the winding road and can end the day in the thermal baths. Season passes are 30% cheaper if you buy them between 15 October and 30 November.

Open in the interactive map Directions Places to stay nearby Things to do Affiliate link

42.7580° N, 0.5780° E

Road trips passing here

The waterfall loopCauterets → Gavarnie → Troumouse → Luchon